A NEW Oxford political group critical of low traffic neighbourhoods came under fire from an MP days before the local elections prompting claims of a “coordinated political attack”.

Labour MP for Oxford East Anneliese Dodds and Leader of the city council Susan Brown, issued an open letter to candidates standing for the Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA) which alleged “appalling behaviour” from “a number of senior” members.

It alleged the chairwoman of the group, Anne Gwinnett, promoted “conspiracy theories which encourage people to take dangerous drugs”.

It also singled out black British supporter Chaka Artwell describing London mayor Sadiq Khan as “an ‘ethnic Asian Muslim mayor’ who ‘is opposed to the native Caucasian Protestant, and Catholic ethnic people... preferring ‘diversity’”.

Oxford Mail: Chaka Artwell Chaka Artwell (Image: Ed Nix.)Mr Artwell, who was standing as a candidate in the city’s Barton and Sandhills ward, has described himself as “one of His Majesty’s African-heritage subjects”.

Low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) were introduced in East Oxford and Cowley with the aim of making streets safer but they have since proved controversial and been blamed for increasing congestion.

Addressing party members in the open letter, Ms Dodds and Ms Brown said: “It appears that a number of senior Oxford Independents have expressed views that would shock the vast majority of Oxford residents.

“We are therefore demanding that you distance yourself from what is reported and explain whether you are willing to remain a member of a political party where this behaviour is tolerated.”

A number of other councillors have also taken to social media, such as Emily Kerr of the St Mary’s ward, to suggest the promotion of “fringe viewpoints” was “concerning”.

Responding to the criticism, Ms Gwinnett said: “It does seem like a coordinated political attack.

"Anneliese Dodds and the Labour Party are trying to distract attention from their foolish policies in Oxford, and their arrogant, undemocratic approach to implementing them.”

St Mary’s ward IOA candidate John Skinner, claimed a Green Party leaflet issued in the ward was “lies” and “libellous”.

Oxford Mail: Anneliese Dodds Anneliese Dodds (Image: Newsquest)

The leaflet said “one candidate for the alliance” had “confidently proclaimed that there was ‘no climate emergency’” and shared “misleading conspiracy theories about Covid vaccines”.

Mr Skinner believed the allegations referred to him, being the only IOA candidate in the ward.
Chris Jarvis, leader of the Green group, said: “Every statement in our leaflets has been accurate.

"The comments... John Skinner refers to were in a leaflet printed and distributed in March and did not refer to him.

"The leaflet drew people’s attention to the social media activity of one individual who was listed... as one of the party’s candidates at the time the leaflet was printed.”